Regional planning approach for development of polycentric urban areas in Mazandaran Province

Lotfi, Sedigheh; Shahabi Shahmiri, Mojtaba

doi:10.22034/jumes.2023.2003452.1146

Regional planning approach for development of polycentric urban areas in Mazandaran Province

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Sedigheh Lotfi ¹

Mojtaba Shahabi Shahmiri ²

¹ Professor of Geog. & Urban Planning, University pf Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

² Assistant Professor of Regional Planning, University of Tehran

10.22034/jumes.2023.2003452.1146

Abstract

In recent years, polycentric urban areas have become widespread as a spatial reality, analytical framework, and normative approach. While most researchers are focused on the structure of these regions and the assumptions such as economic competitiveness, territorial cohesion, and environmental sustainability; understanding the potential of planning in such areas is yet limited because planning in polycentric urban systems is relatively in a new scale which is based on new strategic goals. This paper studied the problem from the planning perspective and focused first on the role and necessity of the regional approach in developing polycentric urban areas. Then, by accepting this essential, a framework was
presented to apply a regional approach in these areas, i.e., the central Mazandaran urban complex, emphasizing the three dimensions of spatial-functional integration,institutional capacity, and culture-identity as a planning prerequisite. The results revealed despite the potential of complementary relations and everyday culture in this region, the immaturity of public organizations and institutions, and the lack of legal boundaries for the urban complex, the urban complex of central Mazandaran is a product of competition between cities rather than being the result of cooperative relations.

Keywords

Mazandaran

polycentric region

regional capacity

regional planning

spatial integration

Akhundi, A., & Barakpour, N. (2009). Strategies of establishing governance in the metropolitan area of Tehran. Strategy Quarterly, 19(57), 297-324.
Albrechts, L. (2001). How to proceed from image and discourse to action: As applied to the Flemish diamond. Urban Studies, 38(4), 733-745.
Amayesh Project. (2018). Mazandaran Province No. 50: Provincial reports. Sari.
Askari, A., & Kazemian, G. (2015). Recognition and analysis of the management system of urban complexes in the country. Quarterly Journal of Urban Management, 18, 6-21.
Boussauw, K., Van Meeteren, M., Sansen, J., Meijers, E., Storme, T., Louw, E., Derudder, B., & Witlox, F. (2018). Planning for agglomeration economies in a polycentric region: Envisioning an efficient metropolitan core area in Flanders. European Journal of Spatial Development, 16(3), 1-26.
Brezzi, M., & Veneri, P. (2015). Assessing polycentric urban systems in the OECD: Country, regional and metropolitan perspectives. European Planning Studies, 23(6), 1128-1145.
Buiks, P. E. J. (1981). Culture. In L. Rademaker (Ed.), Basic Sociological Concepts 1: Theory and Analysis(pp. xx-xx). Utrecht: Dutch.
Burger, M. J., & Meijers, E. J. (2016). Agglomerations and the rise of urban network externalities. Papers in Regional Science, 95(1), 5-15.
Camagni, R. (2001). The economic role and spatial contradictions of global city regions: The functional, cognitive and evolutionary context. In A. J. Scott (Ed.), Global City Regions: Trends, Theory, Policy(pp. 96-118). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Capello, R. (2000). The city network paradigm: Measuring urban network externalities. Urban Studies, 37(11), 1925-1945.
Dadfar, S., Azimi, N., & Ahmadi, H. (2013). Functional evaluation of Mazandaran Province cities using factor analysis, numerical taxonomy and cluster analysis. Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development, 6(10), 253-266.
Davoudi, S. (2003). Polycentricity in European spatial planning: From an analytical tool to a normative agenda. European Planning Studies, 11(8), 979-999.
Derudder, B., Meijers, E., Harrison, J., Hoyler, M., & Liu, X. (2022). Polycentric urban regions: Conceptualization, identification and implications. Regional Studies, 56(1), 1-6.
ESPON 1.1.1. (2004). Potentials for polycentric development in Europe. Stockholm/Luxembourg: Nordregio/ESPON Monitoring Committee.
European Spatial Development Perspective Report.
Hogg, M. A. (1992). The social psychology of group cohesiveness: From attraction to social identity. London: Harvester Wheatsheaf.
Hoppenbrouwer, E. C., Meijers, E. J., & Romein, A. (2003). Randstad. In E. J. Meijers, A. Romein, & E. C. Hoppenbrouwer (Eds.), Planning Polycentric Urban Regions in North West Europe(pp. 33-80). Delft: Delft University Press.
Huang, Y., Hong, T., & Ma, T. (2020). Urban network externalities, agglomeration economies and urban economic growth. Cities, 107, 102882.
Ipenburg, D., & Lambregts, B. (2001). Polynuclear urban regions in North West Europe: A survey of key actor views. Delft: Delft University Press.
Kazemian, G., Farjirad, K., Ruknuddin Eftekhari, A., & Portahari, M. (2013). Assessing and developing appropriate strategies for improving regional institutional capacity: Mori’s example—Bukan and Urmia cities.